Study note
Forensic MedicineMECHANICAL INJURIES

Laceration edges and swallow tails

THE CONTEXT
Blunt impact can produce different appearances at opposing wound edges, together with characteristic tears at the wound ends.

Edge appearance

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When a blunt object such as a bottle strikes the skin, the edge at the impact point is sharp and turned inwards.
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The opposite edge may be everted, exposing hair follicles in the depths.

Associated findings

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Swallow tails are tears at the ends of a laceration that diverge at angles from the main wound.
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Bruising occurs in the skin or subcutaneous tissues around the wound.
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